It isn't as if we didn't know she was coming, we knew for months and received day to day reports on the twists and turns that the baby residing in our daughter Jessica's belly (as yet unnamed) would be arriving around Thanksgiving. She was born on December 1, 2017, 9-pounds, 2-ounces, 21-inches long and my goodness, beautiful from day one. Kiera Leialoha Hamilton arrived to great fanfare and the procession began. Family from everywhere arranged the trek to Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, where "Mom" Jessica, aka Coast Guard Lieutenant Hamilton is stationed, now on maternity leave from her administrative position at the Coast Guard station in Cape May, New Jersey.

Kiera was three weeks old when she, along with her parents (Jessica and Jared), met the grandparents at the airport in Philadelphia. Funny thing about newborn babies - all they do, (aside from bodily functions) is eat, sleep and cry. We're here to tell you, Kiera has great lungs and makes her wishes well known. On the other hand, our timing was just right as we witnessed her first smiles.

In any event, we were and are blessed. Family is everything, especially over the holidays. We had a wonderful "vacation" and returned to the Northwest thoroughly convinced that we're lucky to be where we are, especially this time of year.

Remember... The print version of CruZin' Magazine contains the content above, plus MANY
features not available online. Pick it up at your local newsstand, or subscribe today
and never miss another issue!